13
May
2026
|
09:53 AM
Europe/Amsterdam

Emirates and The All England Lawn Tennis Club unveil new London Wildlife Trust play area as part of ‘Championing Nature’ initiative

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London, UK, 13 May 2026: Supported by Emirates and The All England Lawn Tennis Club, London Wildlife Trust have opened a new natural play area at Woodberry Wetlands, as part of the Championing Nature programme.

The new play area is the first permanent site to open as part of the long-term, multi-million-pound initiative delivered by four Wildlife Trusts across England.

Through Championing Nature, Emirates and the All England Club are working with four Wildlife Trusts – London Wildlife Trust; Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust; the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside; and Northumberland Wildlife Trust – to fund bespoke projects that bring more children, young people and families closer to nature in urban areas.

Over six years, the initiative will provide significant investment and support across all four locations, helping to open up access to nature for children, young people and families in underserved communities. The programme aims to help them reconnect with the natural environment and inspire lasting, positive change. To date, it has engaged more than 20,000 people and delivered over 750 Championing Nature activity sessions.

The new play area was officially opened by naturalist, presenter and Championing Nature ambassador Steve Backshall, who welcomed children from Holmleigh Primary School to explore the space for the first time during an outdoor learning session. Designed to help young people connect with wildlife and green spaces, the play area will provide hands-on outdoor experiences that encourage curiosity, learning and a deeper appreciation of the natural world.

Jabr Al-Azeeby, divisional vice president, Emirates UK, said: “Our global Force for Good programme is about connecting communities and creating opportunities through our vast sponsorship portfolio. Seeing this space come to life at Woodberry Wetlands in London is a powerful example of how our partnerships can deliver lasting, local impact for the benefit of future generations.”

Championing Nature forms part of Emirates’ global Force for Good programme, which supports and promotes projects that positively impact society and local communities through the airline’s global sponsorship portfolio.

 

Official-opening-of-a-new-children’s-natural-play-area-at-Woodberry-Wetlands-Nature-Reserve
Official opening of a new children’s natural play area at Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve by Championing Nature Ambassador, Steve Backshall. This is the first completed capital projectdelivered through the Championing Nature programme, funded through the partnership of the AELTC and Emirates, delivered in collaboration with London Wildlife Trust. Held at Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve, Hackney,London.
Official-opening-of-a-new-children’s-natural-play-area-at-Woodberry-Wetlands-Nature-Reserve
Official opening of a new children’s natural play area at Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve by Championing Nature Ambassador, Steve Backshall. This is the first completed capital projectdelivered through the Championing Nature programme, funded through the partnership of the AELTC and Emirates, delivered in collaboration with London Wildlife Trust. Held at Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve, Hackney,London.
Official-opening-of-a-new-children’s-natural-play-area-at-Woodberry-Wetlands-Nature-Reserve
Official opening of a new children’s natural play area at Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve by Championing Nature Ambassador, Steve Backshall. This is the first completed capital projectdelivered through the Championing Nature programme, funded through the partnership of the AELTC and Emirates, delivered in collaboration with London Wildlife Trust. Held at Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve, Hackney,London.
Official-opening-of-a-new-children’s-natural-play-area-at-Woodberry-Wetlands-Nature-Reserve
Championing Nature Ambassador, Steve Backshall with AELTC Head of Community Strategy Ulrika Hogberg and a representative from The London Wildlife Trust, at the official opening of a new children’s natural play area at the Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve. This is the first completed capital project delivered through the Championing Nature programme, funded through the partnership of Emirates, the AELTC and London Wildlife Trust. Held at Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve, Hackney, London.
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